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| Volume 27 Number 11 November 2025 |
Page 9 |
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| Volume 27 Number 11 November 2025 |
Page 9 |
Why Christians Do Not
Observe Christmas Religiously
David Fanning
Under the Old Testament Law, God required the Jewish males to observe three feasts annually and religiously in remembrance of significant events in their history (Exodus 23:14–19). Jesus wiped out the Old Testament handwriting of ordinances, including the requirement of these feasts, when He died on the cross (Colossians 2:11–17). In fact, under the New Testament, anyone who observed these annual events as religious holy days was rebuked (Galatians 4:9–11).
Since God condemns the religious observance of holy days and years that He once authorized under the Old Testament, what does God’s Word say about holy celebrations created by men? The only holy day Jesus authorizes all Christians to observe religiously is the first day of the week (Sunday, weekly observance, Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2). On this day, Christians assemble and partake of the Lord’s Supper, proclaiming the Lord’s death till He comes (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
The gospel, which is the power of God to save, contains and emphasizes the message of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (not His birth, Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The reasons why Christians do not observe the birth of Jesus annually and religiously are as follows:
Be advised that there is a vast difference between spending quality time with family during secular holidays our nation sets aside, such as “Christmas” or “Valentine’s Day,” and observing Christmas as a religious holiday in which one celebrates the birth of Jesus. The former is permissible while the latter is condemned (Romans 14:1–12).
